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The South Carolina Department of Commerce, Sumter County and the Sumter Development Board recently announced that Au’some LLC, a Hong Kong-based candy company, will establish its new candy production facility in Sumter County. The $6 million investment is expected to generate 120 new jobs over the next five years.
“We are pleased to be moving forward with our new manufacturing facility in Sumter County. This facility will allow us to better serve our customers throughout North America. Sumter County provided us with an existing building to suit our needs and South Carolina provides us with an excellent business environment and a talented workforce. This is a big step for our company and we look forward to bringing this facility online,” said David Tsu, CEO of Au’some LLC.
Au’some LLC will establish its first North American candy manufacturing facility in Sumter. For several years, the company has been selling its products to major retailers in the U.S., including Walmart, Target, Walgreens and CVS. The company will locate its facility in a former Bosch building at 1 Corporate Way in Sumter, and expects to begin production in the third quarter of 2011.
“South Carolina continues to attract investment from a broad range of companies across the nation and around the globe. The decision by Au’some LLC to locate its first North American manufacturing operation in South Carolina is a positive indication that our state’s business-friendly climate and skilled workforce are working to attract new investment. We must remain committed to efforts to keep taxes and regulatory burdens low so that we may continue to attract new job opportunities for South Carolinians. The Department of Commerce congratulates Au’some LLC and wishes the company much success in its endeavors here,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
“On behalf of Sumter County Council, we’re tremendously pleased to welcome Au’some LLC to our community,” said Sumter County Council Chairwoman Vivian Fleming McGhaney “We are committed to doing all we can to help our industries be successful, and we look forward to a long, mutually beneficial relationship with Au’some LLC.”
“It’s always a great feeling to help bring a new company to Sumter, but the fact that Sumter will be home to this company’s very first North American facility makes this one even more special,” said Sumter Mayor Joseph McElveen Jr. “This company could have gone just about anywhere, but it chose Sumter, and I think that’s a testament to our people. Our goal now becomes hosting Au’some LLC so well that when the time to expand comes, they look nowhere else.”
“We are extremely happy that Au’some LLC has selected Sumter County for their first facility in the United States,” said Sumter Development Board Chairman Greg A. Thompson. “We have worked diligently on this project for many months and the end result will not only be new jobs for the citizens of the area, but also a new employer for Sumter County. We welcome Au’some LLC into the Sumter community and look forward to an excellent relationship in the years to come. This is a great example of the private and public sectors coming together to reach a common goal for the good of the community.”
The company will begin hiring for the positions in late 2011. Anyone interested in job opportunities with the company should contact info@ausome.com or visit www.sctechjobs.com at that time.
Au’some is a vertically integrated global company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Candy Novelty Works Limited, a 50-year-old company and one of the largest “interactive candy” manufacturers in the world. Au’some was established in 1998 and since then has successfully carved a niche in the confectionary industry through its innovative line of “action candies.” For more information about the company, please visit www.ausome.com.
About S.C. Department of Commerce
The S.C. Department of Commerce works closely with economic development professionals throughout the state to recruit new jobs and investments and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has been recognized for its success in the areas of job creation and economic impact by Area Development and Business Facilities magazines. The S.C. Department of Commerce was one of 10 state economic development organizations to receive Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award in 2009 and Commerce received the 2009 Deal of the Year award from Business Facilities magazine. Southern Business & Development also awarded the S.C. Department of Commerce the “Deal of the Year” for the 2010 SB&D 100. Commerce received the recognitions for Boeing’s selection of North Charleston for the company’s second final assembly plant to support the 787 Dreamliner program. In addition to job and investment recruitment, the agency provides a range of business support services and offers grants for community development and infrastructure improvements. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.
